When The Princess Doesn't Show

Saturday, we celebrated our daughter's birthday, which actually falls in the upcoming week. We transformed the garage into a palace and had even scheduled Cinderella to show for the event.

I spent the morning decorating stapling colored tablecloths to the ceiling to spruce up the place, organized tables and ensured every detail was taken care of.  Party time was arriving, and as I set out to open the garage and begin setting the food out, a gust of wind tore through and began ripping down the brightly colored hangings.  One by one they begin falling from the ceiling, much to my horror.  This was not in the plan, and certainly too close to party time to be happening.  I yanked out the ladder, moved the tables, and began trying to redo what the wind seemed to be protesting.  My stress rose, and under my breath I uttered rather non-princess like words.  My middle school aged niece heard my outburst of stress, and not knowing what to do, headed inside.

A dear friend as I was attempting to balance, while in heels, on the ladder, while trying to restore the kingdom.  With the staple gun and double sided tape in hand, we did the best we could, knowing one wall was doomed by the Winds of the Plains.  And it had looked so pretty!  I wanted to scream more profanities loudly, but knew with the upcoming surprise, everything would work out fine. 

Little girls arrived, all dressed up, ready for the royal ball, but Cinderella?  She did not show at all. No, I am not simply weaving a clever rhyme, I am honestly telling you that the princess scheduled to arrive did not show up. We received no phone call, no anything, just a no show princess. There are few words to describe how unhappy I was, yet relieved that we had chosen to not tell our daughter what was planned.

First the kingdom was stormed and nearly ravaged by the blowing winds, and now, the one surprise I knew would make my daughter's day had ended in disaster as well.  While this time I did not utter any foul words, I was trying to hold back my own frustrations because, after all,we did have a garage full of friends and family.

As I thought more about the day's events while I cleaned and rinsed the last of the dishes, all I could think was, "Cinderella did not show up, and the princess I am called to be did not to such a great job either."  I am a planner, by nature, and like things to be a certain way.  In my head is a constantly running to-do list and schedule.  When those things are interrupted, I sometimes, as evidenced yesterday, do not roll with it very well. 

While I know it was the mother in my who was simply wanting an extraordinary party for her daughter that flew into the rage, how much better would it have been if I had simply gone about the task of doing what I could to fix the falling decor and then delighted when my niece and a friend stepped in and began games of "Simon Says," "Red Light Green Light," and "Duck Duck Goose."  I believe my heavenly Father would have been better represented if I had not missed what was truly important: the life of my healthy child, and the beautiful friends who were there to celebrate it.

I called the company not once but three times.  Finally, my calls were returned.  I was told our reservation was lost, there was no record of it at all.  Truth?  I am not sure, but it is all I have to go by.  Our money will be refunded, and said princess will arrive at our house on our girl's birthday to sing to her.  At least they are rectifying the situation, right? 

And me?  I am realizing that even as I inch my way towards 40, still have much to learn in the ways of my royal calling.

The two girls who saved the party, aren't they beautiful?  Like any good princess, they are kind, intelligent, and step in to help, and do it with a smile on their faces.  I can learn a lot from these two.

Romans 8:16-18: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.